Suspect Subdued After Eight-hour Standoff 03-18-01

Hawaii County police subdued a suspect early Sunday (March 18, 2001) after the man held officers at bay with an infant hostage for eight hours.

The suspect, identified as Randy Galima, 42, of Hilo, was charged with seven counts of terroristic threatening, one count of kidnapping and one count of resisting arrest.

The incident began at 6:07 p.m. Saturday when police responded to a call about a domestic dispute at a Peepee Street address. When the officers knocked on the door, a woman ran out and told that the suspect was inside with a knife and a child.

After police entered the house, the suspect grabbed a bat and started swinging at them. He then grabbed a 7-month-old girl, retreated into the kitchen, got a knife and threatened to kill the child.

Police then called a hostage negotiator who talked to the man about eight hours. After the suspect failed to give himself up, officers finally subdued him with pepper spray and arrested him about 2:30 a.m.

They turned over child, who was unharmed, over to the custody of the Child Protective Services agency.

An investigation is continuing, and the suspect is being held in the Hilo police cellblock in lieu of $40,500 bail.